New look for longtime area business

Seneca Street Saloon unveils new logo, exterior design

April 13, 2012

There are some changes coming to a Webster City business. Local residents will likely notice the new look at the Seneca Street Saloon and and Saturday marks the launch of the business' rebranding efforts.

Seneca Street Saloon was established in February 1980. Owners Larry and Kay Ross opened up the walls to expand the business in 1985, adding the kitchen and an area with pool tables. At that time they started serving lunch, later adding homemade pizza to the menu in 1987.

"We, in essence, more than doubled the size of the business," she said.

Article Photos

- Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Anne BlankenshipKay and Larry Ross stand beside the new sign for their business, the Seneca Street Saloon, The Ross’ are in the process of updating the exterior of the business, and plan to have a special event on Saturday featuring discounts on food and drinks.

Now, a new sign is going up outside that denotes Seneca Street Saloon's standing as Webster City's original sports bar and grill, and a pizza place. The awning on the front of the building is being extended over the front door and a red LED light will line the awning. Inside, there's also a new sign and soon, piece of pizza that's actually a piece of art will be installed. Webster City artist Tim Adams is creating a back-lit slice with cutouts of all the ingredients which will shine through when the lights are turned on, Kay Ross said.

"Then if people want to order a pizza or sandwich to be delivered and don't have a menu, they can get on there to check it out," she said. The Saloon also has a Facebook page where they post information about upcoming events, she said.

More changes will be coming as time goes on, Kay Ross said.

"There are a few cosmetic changes that have been made so far, but it's going to be a process over the next year or so," she said.

The Ross' said Saturday, the Saloon will feature many specials throughout the day.

"We're going to have lunch specials from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.," she said, "and we'll have pizza specials from 5:30 to 8 p.m."

From 8:30 to 10 p.m., the Saloon will host a "Throwback to the '80s" event with drink prices reminiscent of the 1980s.

For more than 30 years, the Saloon has been a local gathering place.

"It's been a mainstay in the community for many years," she said, adding that the establishment has always been family-friendly. "I've seen a lot of kids grow up down here and we've had a lot of couples meet here, go on to get married and then bring their kids down here.

"We've always been know as the Seneca Street Saloon and as a bar," said Larry Ross. "There's a lot of people in town who don't know that we serve food. The new logo and plans are set up to show people we are family-friendly, we're a restaurant and pizza place, and a sports bar."

"We try to cater to the whole family," she said.

"And we always try to feed every local sports team. A week ago, we fed the soccer team - we've fed the football team, the girls basketball team and all the others. We try to feed the kids for all their hard work in the sports," Larry Ross said.

"We love Webster City and Webster City has been very good to us," Kay Ross said. "And we're strong community supporters."